Protective Effect of Quercetin on the Reproductive Toxicity of 4-nitrophenol in Diesel Exhaust Particles on Male Embryonic Chickens

Abstract

Abstract. The 4-nitrophenol (PNP) in diesel exhaust particles (DEP) has been identified as a vasodilator and is a known degradation product of the insecticide parathion. In this study, the protective effect of quercetin, a potent oxygen free radical scavenger and metal chelator, against the oxidative damage of PNP on cultured testicular cells was studied in male embryonic chickens. Testicular cells from Day 18 embryos were cultured in serum-free McCoy's 5A medium and challenged with quercetin (1.0 μg/ml) alone or in combinations with PNP (10 -7 -10 -5 M) for 48 h. The oxidative damage was estimated by measuring cell viability, content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidation (GSH-Px) activity. The results showed that exposure to PNP (10 -5 M) induced condensed nuclei, vacuolated cytoplasm and a decrease in testicular cell viability and spermatogonial cell number. Exposure to PNP induced lipid peroxidation by elevation of the content of MDA. Exposure to PNP also decreased GSH-Px activity and SOD activity. However, simultaneous supplementation with quercetin restored these parameters to the same levels as the control. Consequently, PNP induced oxidative stress in spermatogonial cells, and dietary quercetin may attenuate the reproductive toxicity of PNP to restore the intracellular antioxidant system in the testicular cells of embryonic chickens. Key words: Chicken, 4-Nitrophenol, Oxidative damage, Quercetin, Spermatogonial cells (J. Reprod. Dev. 56: 195-199, 2010) ir pollution is now one of the serious concerns about the environment and health. Recently, the use of diesel enginepowered cars has been increasing in the world because they offer better fuel efficiency than gasoline engines. However, diesel engines emit more nitrogen oxides and particles than gasoline engines; the latter is considered to be the major source of air pollution [1].Vast amounts of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) pollute the atmosphere as a consequence of the use of diesel engines. For example, Japan, the United States, England and the European Union emit 58902, 111530, 37000 and 240000 tons of DEP into the atmosphere per year, respectively [2][3][4][5][6]. Exposure to DEP has many hazardous effects on human and animal health, e.g., carcinogenic action, such as a lung cancer [7], bronchial asthma [8] and disruption of female and male reproductive functions, such as suppressing spermatogenesis and increasing the abortion rate and uterine weight [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. However, the specific compounds responsible for this toxicity remain still largely unknown.In order to address this problem, four nitrophenol derivatives, 4-nitrophenol (PNP), 2-methyl-4-nitrophenol, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol and 4-nitro-3-phenylphenol, were isolated from DEP [17]. PNP is not only a type of chemical found in DEP but is also a degradation product of the insecticide parathion, which is used as a drug or xenobiotic, a dye and a fungicide for leather [18]. Nevertheless, it is considered to be hazardous wa...

Supplementation With Quercetin Attenuates 4‐Nitrophenol‐Induced Testicular Toxicity in Adult Male Mice

“…This change of antioxidant status indicates that oxidative stress was active in the testes after PNP treatment. Results from the study in mouse testes are in agreement with the previous report in embryonic chickens (Mi et al, 2010). In rats and mice, exposure to DEP also caused lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA damage (Park et al, 2006).…”

“…Quercetin is defined as a powerful dietary antioxidant that has the potential to prevent oxidative damage, cell death, and protect against peroxidation. It was shown to alleviate the reproductive toxicity induced by Aroclor 1254, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, and cadmium in our previous studies (Mi and Zhang, 2005, Mi et al, 2009, 2010Bu et al, 2011;Jia et al, 2011). However, the potential effect of quercetin on PNP-induced reproductive damage in vivo remains largely unknown.…”

“…It is considered as a hazardous waste and a toxic pollutant which can evoke damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, and blood in both in humans and animals (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1980). Simultaneous lab studies have demonstrated that it manifested reproductive toxicity in male embryonic chickens and mice (Mi et al, 2010). Since reproduction represents an essential function for species continuation, it is extremely important to find ways to reduce the reproductive toxicity raised by wide-spread DEP pollution.…”

Antioxidant Systems in Poultry Biology: Superoxide Dismutase

“…Similarly, vanadium inhibited SOD activity in chicken liver and kidney [148]. The list of chicken SOD inhibitors includes aluminium [149][150], fluorine [151], polychlorinated biphenyls [152][153], 4-nitrophenol [154], dioxin [155], organophosphate [156], thiram [157], furazolidone [158], valproic acid [159], oxidised oil [160]. It seems likely that mycotoxins can also decrease SOD activity in various chicken tissues.…”

Pharmacological Applications of Quercetin and its Derivatives: A Short Review

“…Along with above mentioned pharmacological activities, quercetin has also been reported for its protective effect on the reproductive system of embryonic chicken and induced toxicity by quinine sulfate in rats [43,44]. Literature also reveals anti-obesity use of quercetin [45].…”